University of South Florida in
Overview
Sr Unit Research Administrator (Finance) The University of South Florida College of Education serves a community of over 2,200 students and 130 faculty members dedicated to advancing high-quality education through excellence in research, teaching, and learning. Accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and fully approved by the Florida Department of Education, the college offers innovative teacher training and collaborative graduate programs aimed at developing educational leaders. In partnership with school districts across the Tampa Bay region, the college is committed to extending proven educational initiatives and exploring new approaches to preparing lifelong learners. Whether pursuing initial teaching certification or advancing professional development through graduate studies, the college provides comprehensive resources and support to help students achieve their educational and career goals. Summary The Sr Unit Research Administrator serves as a liaison between Principal Investigators, Sponsored Research, and Research Financial Management in the development, review, and administration of complex or large-scale grants and contracts. It provides guidance, training, and oversight to other Research Administrators and professional staff as needed and may supervise or lead their work. The role supports the development and implementation of college-level research administration policies and procedures, assists faculty in identifying funding opportunities to increase proposal submissions and awards, and serves as a consultant and reviewer on complex cases such as multi-subcontracts, major industry collaborations, and projects involving export control. Additional responsibilities include preparing budget projections, developing compliance materials, advising researchers on proposal review processes, disseminating information on grant opportunities, and delivering training on proposal and award procedures. The position may also recommend operational policies for the college\'s research support office and oversee the maintenance of fiscal records and activity reports. Compliance and Federal Notices This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check. Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws. The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) rights are provided. Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodations in the application process. A request should be made at least five (5) working days prior to when the accommodation is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process. Equal Employment Opportunity statements are maintained in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.
Responsibilities
Supervision and Training: Lead efforts to update and enhance the college\'s training and professional development program for Research Administrators, ensuring consistent understanding and application of federal, state, and institutional research policies. Develop innovative tools and resources that promote efficiency, best practices, and procedural consistency across all units. Provide supervision, mentorship, and expert guidance to Unit Research Administrators, serving as a second-level reviewer for complex or high-value proposals and awards. Serve as a key resource for managing advanced research administration cases, including multi-institutional collaborations, large-scale industry partnerships, and projects subject to export control regulations. Compliance: Lead comprehensive investigations into complex challenges involving external research funding, leveraging analytical expertise to identify root causes and implement effective, collaborative solutions in partnership with the Associate Dean of Research. Act as the liaison for effort reporting compliance, driving the accurate and timely collection and submission of all college-wide effort and activity reports (PERT) to Research and Financial Management, ensuring full adherence to federal grant regulations and institutional policies. Pre-Award: Collaborate closely with faculty in the development and submission of grant and contract proposals, ensuring full compliance with sponsor, university, foundation, and College of Education regulations and guidelines. Provide expert technical assistance to support proposal preparation, including critical review, writing, and editing of research narratives. Develops and calculates detailed budgets, ensuring all required elements—such as direct and indirect costs, cost share, and program income—are accurately represented. Post Award: Provide comprehensive oversight and support to Principal Investigators, project staff, and CAS administration in all areas of post-award management. Ensure awards are properly underwritten with appropriate risk assessment, and oversee award setup, modifications, and sub-recipient agreements. Manage financial transactions including payroll distribution monitoring, cost transfers, and budget adjustments. Collaborate with department chairs and staff to confirm available funds for personnel supported by grants and contracts, coordinating preparation of hiring documents and processing of grant-funded tuition payments. Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Requirements
This position requires a Bachelor\'s degree and four years of research or research administration experience; A Master\'s degree may substitute for two years of the required experience. There is no substitution of experience for the Bachelor\'s degree.
Preferred Experience
Proven experience serving as a strategic liaison among faculty, Sponsored Research, and Research Financial Management, effectively translating complex sponsor and institutional policies into clear, actionable guidance for researchers. Demonstrated expertise in federal, state, and private sponsor regulations, including those of agencies such as NSF, NIH, DOE, DOD, NEH, and major foundations. Working at USF
About USF
With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF\'s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida\'s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state\'s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts. About USF The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF\'s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.
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Sr Unit Research Administrator (Finance) The University of South Florida College of Education serves a community of over 2,200 students and 130 faculty members dedicated to advancing high-quality education through excellence in research, teaching, and learning. Accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and fully approved by the Florida Department of Education, the college offers innovative teacher training and collaborative graduate programs aimed at developing educational leaders. In partnership with school districts across the Tampa Bay region, the college is committed to extending proven educational initiatives and exploring new approaches to preparing lifelong learners. Whether pursuing initial teaching certification or advancing professional development through graduate studies, the college provides comprehensive resources and support to help students achieve their educational and career goals. Summary The Sr Unit Research Administrator serves as a liaison between Principal Investigators, Sponsored Research, and Research Financial Management in the development, review, and administration of complex or large-scale grants and contracts. It provides guidance, training, and oversight to other Research Administrators and professional staff as needed and may supervise or lead their work. The role supports the development and implementation of college-level research administration policies and procedures, assists faculty in identifying funding opportunities to increase proposal submissions and awards, and serves as a consultant and reviewer on complex cases such as multi-subcontracts, major industry collaborations, and projects involving export control. Additional responsibilities include preparing budget projections, developing compliance materials, advising researchers on proposal review processes, disseminating information on grant opportunities, and delivering training on proposal and award procedures. The position may also recommend operational policies for the college\'s research support office and oversee the maintenance of fiscal records and activity reports. Compliance and Federal Notices This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check. Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws. The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) rights are provided. Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodations in the application process. A request should be made at least five (5) working days prior to when the accommodation is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process. Equal Employment Opportunity statements are maintained in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.
Responsibilities
Supervision and Training: Lead efforts to update and enhance the college\'s training and professional development program for Research Administrators, ensuring consistent understanding and application of federal, state, and institutional research policies. Develop innovative tools and resources that promote efficiency, best practices, and procedural consistency across all units. Provide supervision, mentorship, and expert guidance to Unit Research Administrators, serving as a second-level reviewer for complex or high-value proposals and awards. Serve as a key resource for managing advanced research administration cases, including multi-institutional collaborations, large-scale industry partnerships, and projects subject to export control regulations. Compliance: Lead comprehensive investigations into complex challenges involving external research funding, leveraging analytical expertise to identify root causes and implement effective, collaborative solutions in partnership with the Associate Dean of Research. Act as the liaison for effort reporting compliance, driving the accurate and timely collection and submission of all college-wide effort and activity reports (PERT) to Research and Financial Management, ensuring full adherence to federal grant regulations and institutional policies. Pre-Award: Collaborate closely with faculty in the development and submission of grant and contract proposals, ensuring full compliance with sponsor, university, foundation, and College of Education regulations and guidelines. Provide expert technical assistance to support proposal preparation, including critical review, writing, and editing of research narratives. Develops and calculates detailed budgets, ensuring all required elements—such as direct and indirect costs, cost share, and program income—are accurately represented. Post Award: Provide comprehensive oversight and support to Principal Investigators, project staff, and CAS administration in all areas of post-award management. Ensure awards are properly underwritten with appropriate risk assessment, and oversee award setup, modifications, and sub-recipient agreements. Manage financial transactions including payroll distribution monitoring, cost transfers, and budget adjustments. Collaborate with department chairs and staff to confirm available funds for personnel supported by grants and contracts, coordinating preparation of hiring documents and processing of grant-funded tuition payments. Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Requirements
This position requires a Bachelor\'s degree and four years of research or research administration experience; A Master\'s degree may substitute for two years of the required experience. There is no substitution of experience for the Bachelor\'s degree.
Preferred Experience
Proven experience serving as a strategic liaison among faculty, Sponsored Research, and Research Financial Management, effectively translating complex sponsor and institutional policies into clear, actionable guidance for researchers. Demonstrated expertise in federal, state, and private sponsor regulations, including those of agencies such as NSF, NIH, DOE, DOD, NEH, and major foundations. Working at USF
About USF
With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF\'s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida\'s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state\'s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts. About USF The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF\'s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.
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